Cabot Corp. to invest $84 million in air pollution control systems

November 25, 2013

Boston-based chemicals and performance materials company Cabot Corp. has agreed to pay a $975,000 civil penalty for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at three facilities.

Under the terms of the agreement, the company will spend a further $84 million on new technology that will ensure more efficient control of harmful air pollution at the plants in Pampa, Texas, and in Franklin and Ville Platte, La., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated.

The company will upgrade existing systems for control of particulate matter or soot and also implement an early-warning detection system that will react to any particulate matter releases. In addition, Cabot will have to comply with a plan to prevent so-called fugitive emissions, or unintended releases of gases. Furthermore, in order to tackle nitrogen oxide pollution, the company will invest in a selective catalytic reduction technology to bring down emissions and comply with federal regulation.

Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, commented that by accepting the agreement Cabot has taken a decisive step towards raising the industry standards for control of air pollution and environmental protection. Giles added that the EPA expected other industry representatives to take notice of this and move towards adopting a similar responsible approach.